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Vaccination

NHS Trust CEO Predicts Government Will Ditch Mandatory Vaccination Plans for Frontline Health Staff

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The Newcastle Hospitals NHS Trust's chief executive, Dame Jackie Daniel, has stated that she believes it is "inevitability" that the Government will decide to scrap plans to make it mandatory for frontline health staff to be double-vaccinated against Covid-19. This announcement comes as the health service faces a severe staffing crisis, with many NHS figures warning that the policy could exacerbate the problem. Despite her trust having a high vaccination rate of 95%, Dame Jackie emphasized that losing even one member of staff would be unaffordable.

Key Takeaways:

  • Dame Jackie Daniel, CEO of the Newcastle Hospitals NHS Trust, expects the Government to abandon plans for mandatory vaccination of frontline health staff due to staffing concerns.
  • The trust has a vaccination rate of 95%, but Dame Jackie believes that even one lost staff member would be too costly.
  • NHS figures have warned that the policy could worsen the health service's staffing crisis, with some trusts potentially losing up to 1,000 staff members.
  • UNISON, a union representing NHS staff, has opposed the policy, stating it could cause thousands to leave professions already struggling with recruitment issues.
  • Health Secretary Sajid Javid is meeting with ministers on Monday to discuss the vaccine mandate, and The Telegraph has reported that he may announce a U-turn.
  • The Royal College of Nursing's director, Patricia Marquis, believes that while the vaccination is the right policy, forcing vaccination is not, especially in the context of a staffing crisis.

Statistics:

  • 95% of staff at the Newcastle Hospitals NHS Trust are vaccinated.
  • Up to 1,000 staff members could be lost in some trusts if the vaccine mandate is enforced.
  • Thousands of NHS staff may leave their professions due to the policy, exacerbating the staffing crisis.

Sources:

  • "UNISON Hugo Brawley said today: "The Government need to focus on mandatory Covid-19 vaccination for staff in care homes, GP surgeries and other areas where the virus spreads." Source: [BBC Radio 4's Today Programme](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/health-56511144/health-statistics)
  • "Health Secretary Sajid Javid to meet ministers to discuss vaccine mandate". Source: [The Telegraph](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2022/02/10/health-secretary-sajid-javid-meet-ministers-discuss-vaccine/)
  • "Newcastle hospitals chief executive: 'It's an inevitability that the decision will be made today'". Source: [BBC Radio 4's Today Programme](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/health-56511144/health-statistics)

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